Invest Wisely

"What would you rather be: rich or happy?"

"One minute," you'll ask, "can't I be rich and happy?"

"You're right. So let's rephrase the question. What would you rather be: rich and miserable, or poor and happy?"

"Obviously," you'll say, "no one wants to be miserable. What are you saying?"

"Firstly, I am saying, there are people who choose to be rich and miserable.

"But more importantly, we should note, that just as we are ready to put effort -- thought and even money -- to enrich ourselves, so we should be ready to put effort -- thought and even money -- to be happy. Happiness is not free. We have to work to achieve it. We may strive to enrich ourselves -- but we must also strive to be happy. This is the first point.

Now, next the question is, what would you rather be, spiritually rich, or just happy? Would you rather be a lofty personality, an important supporter of communal causes, or simply happy living in this world?

This question however, contains a mistake. For, there is no such thing as spiritual growth without being happy. Even a prophet cannot receive prophecy unless he is happy.[1] To make progress, real progress, we must be joyous.

Moreover, and all the more so, our sages teach that a mitzva done once in pain, with effort, is worth a hundred done without pain, without effort.[2] And since it costs us effort to be happy, it follows that a mitzva done with joy is worth a hundred times more than a mitzva done without joy. To be rich, we must be happy.

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[1] Shabbos 30b; Rashi, Breishis 45.27
[2] Michtav M'Eliyahu, Vol.3 p.14; Avos d'Rebbi Nosson 3; see also Shir HaShirim Raba 8.14

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One Solution

We have two problems. One solution solves them both.

We have two problems. One, the things around us we don't like -- the details that litter, hurt and scar us, that stop us enjoying life in a full way. Two, the good things of life we feel we should have -- the possessions, friends, recognition we want, that remain so far away.

The solution to both problems is one. We need to see that life gives us exactly what we deserve. Our surroundings -- people, things, events -- reflect who we are, what we are right now, in relation to what we could be in the future. Accordingly, as we work on ourselves, as we improve ourselves, that which is ugly begins to disappear, while that which is beautiful begins to enter.

How can you know that this idea works? Taste it; try it. Once you have been on a path of intentional/unintentional self-improvement for two, four, ten years, you'll know that life does get better.

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Nuggets

We need to ask of our future, present and past actions, Are they good? Should we do them? Are they bad? Should we avoid them? And when they're bad, what precautions can we take to protect us from repeating them?

Even of actions that are good, we must ask ourselves, are they all good? Do they include details that that we need to exclude?

An accounting team will assess the health of a business. This is vital to its success. Likewise, we need to assess our habits, attributes and actions. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter 3)


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Praying and Working

We should think of ourselves as ultimately wealthy, possessing limitless funds, good health, strength, wisdom, etc. Why then do we lack so much? Why then do we suffer all that we so need? There are two reasons...

1) That we strive more to come closer to the Creator.

2) That we may sensitize ourselves to the suffering of others, and train ourselves to pray and work for them as well.

Combining these two ideas, we should be praying and working that our entire community should come closer to the Creator.

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Radiate

Be a sun -- not a pale sun, but a bright sun, a warm sun, a friendly sun. Be a sun -- not a weak sun, but a handsome sun, a beautiful sun, a majestic, magnificent sun. Radiate light and energy. Radiate joy, the love of life. Radiate optimism. Look forward to an exciting, wonderful future.

But to succeed as suns, we must fulfill two conditions:

(1) We must remember that the Creator is the source of our energy. From Him we draw the inspiration we need to glow, to shine. Therefore, we must keep our connection to the Creator alive and healthy.

(2) We must be surface-level kings, but not actual kings. Only the Creator is king.
As the Creator's representatives, we may live in palaces, surrounded by beautiful objects, surrounded by servants. Still, we are not the King himself. We only represent Him -- His power, majesty, goodness. As for true power, majesty and goodness -- these are with the Creator.

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Lessons

We need to appreciate our lives to enjoy our lives. But can we appreciate what is unpleasant? Can we attach value to what is painful? Can we be excited over what hurts us? Yes -- if we learn to see and know the Creator.

The highest pleasure is to see the Creator, to know the Creator. But to see or know the Creator requires special sensitivity -- it requires learning. We need to learn about life, about the different forces that inspire and invigorate our world.

Therefore, to learn must be important to us. It must be precious to us. If we don't use our opportunity to learn -- if we disregard it -- we walk away from happiness.

Sometimes, learning is difficult and unpleasant. Sometimes it's painful. In some way, our lessons hurt us -- wound us. Still, we need to appreciate and value these lessons. We even need to enjoy them. For only through them may we reach what we want.

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Nuggets

Negative forces distract us from thinking through our life situation. Nevertheless, when we overcome our natural sloppiness, thinking out and planning our actions, we merit heavenly rescue. (Moed Katon 5a)

With thought, we can tackle our highest dreams. The Creator will help us to reach them. However, when we refuse to think, we lose it all. (From Mesillas Yesharim, Chapter Two)

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